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Grand Canal

Venice, Italy

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Few thoroughfares are as romantic as Venice’s Grand Canal, the city’s lovely, languid waterway and lifeline. Instead of strolling hand in hand down the traditional boulevard with your true love, try canoodling in a gondola as you drift past ornate Romanesque churches and Renaissance palaces on the way to an authentic candlelit Italian dinner.

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Burano Island

An island in <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/italy/photos/northern-italy">Northern Italy</a>’s Venetian Lagoon, Burano is a 40-minute motorboat ride away from Venice. The quiet village is known for its brightly colored homes and authentic, handmade lace that can cost $1,000 to $2,000 for a 10-inch doily.9601280

An island in <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/italy/photos/northern-italy">Northern Italy</a>’s Venetian Lagoon, Burano is a 40-minute motorboat ride away from Venice. The quiet village is known for its brightly colored homes and authentic, handmade lace that can cost $1,000 to $2,000 for a 10-inch doily.

Phant / iStock / Thinkstock

Doge's Palace

Doge's Palace

More than a million people visit Doge’s Palace each year. The palace, once home to the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice, is now one of 11 museums run by the Fondazione Musei civici di Venezia, a foundation that manages and develops the cultural and artistic heritage of Venice and its islands.9601280

More than a million people visit Doge’s Palace each year. The palace, once home to the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice, is now one of 11 museums run by the Fondazione Musei civici di Venezia, a foundation that manages and develops the cultural and artistic heritage of Venice and its islands.

Vitaly Edush / iStock / Thinkstock

Dolomites Mountains

Dolomites Mountains

Looking for adventure? From late spring to early autumn, the <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/italy/photos/northern-italy?page=7">Dolomites mountains</a> become a tourist mecca for mountain biking, base jumping, hang gliding, paragliding and hiking. The mountain range, located in northeastern Italy, is also <i>the</i> popular spot for skiing in the winter.9601280

Looking for adventure? From late spring to early autumn, the <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/italy/photos/northern-italy?page=7">Dolomites mountains</a> become a tourist mecca for mountain biking, base jumping, hang gliding, paragliding and hiking. The mountain range, located in northeastern Italy, is also <i>the</i> popular spot for skiing in the winter.

VV-pics / iStock / Getty Images

Hotel Gritti Palace

Hotel Gritti Palace

This luxe hotel was once home to Andrea Gritti, the Duke of Venice from 1523 to 1538. International royalty, rock stars and literary giants have stayed at the Hotel Gritti Palace -- the most luxurious and classiest hotel on the Grand Canal in Venice. The rooms have tented curtains over tall windows, inlaid antique furnishings and ornate built-in dressers hand-painted in 18th-century Venetian style.9601280

This luxe hotel was once home to Andrea Gritti, the Duke of Venice from 1523 to 1538. International royalty, rock stars and literary giants have stayed at the Hotel Gritti Palace -- the most luxurious and classiest hotel on the Grand Canal in Venice. The rooms have tented curtains over tall windows, inlaid antique furnishings and ornate built-in dressers hand-painted in 18th-century Venetian style.

Hotel Gritti Palace

Cortina d'Ampezzo

Cortina d'Ampezzo

We recommend skiers visit <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/skiing/articles/ski-guide-cortina-italy">Cortina d’Ampezzo</a>. This popular winter sports resort town is known for its ski ranges, shops and après-ski scene. Nestled in an alpine valley surrounded by the Alps, Cortina was also a popular movie location for films like <i>The Pink Panther</i>, <i>Cliffhanger</i> and the <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/hot-topics/photos/travel-like-james-bond">James Bond</a> flick, <i>For Your Eyes Only</i>.9601280

We recommend skiers visit <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/skiing/articles/ski-guide-cortina-italy">Cortina d’Ampezzo</a>. This popular winter sports resort town is known for its ski ranges, shops and après-ski scene. Nestled in an alpine valley surrounded by the Alps, Cortina was also a popular movie location for films like <i>The Pink Panther</i>, <i>Cliffhanger</i> and the <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/hot-topics/photos/travel-like-james-bond">James Bond</a> flick, <i>For Your Eyes Only</i>.

Anzeletti / E+ / Getty Images

Aqua Palace Hotel

Aqua Palace Hotel

Located in Venice’s Castello Quarter, the luxurious Aqua Palace Hotel is a 4-star hotel that strikes a perfect balance between traditional Venetian style and the modern comforts of home, along with beautiful panoramic views of the city. The hotel’s convenient location provides guests easy access to the Grand Canal via a gondola ride or fun sightseeing to visit nearby tourist attractions, including Doge’s Palace, <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/venice/photos/venice-slideshow?page=12">Rialto Bridge</a> and <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/video/sam-tours-venice-12734">St. Mark’s Square</a>.9601280

Located in Venice’s Castello Quarter, the luxurious Aqua Palace Hotel is a 4-star hotel that strikes a perfect balance between traditional Venetian style and the modern comforts of home, along with beautiful panoramic views of the city. The hotel’s convenient location provides guests easy access to the Grand Canal via a gondola ride or fun sightseeing to visit nearby tourist attractions, including Doge’s Palace, <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/venice/photos/venice-slideshow?page=12">Rialto Bridge</a> and <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/video/sam-tours-venice-12734">St. Mark’s Square</a>.

LE Hotels

Handcrafted Glass

Handcrafted Glass

Take a half-day trip to the Murano and Burano islands to learn how handcrafted glass and lace are made. Glassmakers use a unique technique called lampworking, where a torch or lamp is used to melt the glass. In a molten state, the glass is then formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements.9601280

Take a half-day trip to the Murano and Burano islands to learn how handcrafted glass and lace are made. Glassmakers use a unique technique called lampworking, where a torch or lamp is used to melt the glass. In a molten state, the glass is then formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements.

Getty Images

Murano Island

Murano Island

Visit beautiful Murano, an island located off the shore of Venice, Italy. Glassmaking in Murano may have originated in Rome during the 8th century, with significant Asian and Muslim influences; by the 10th century, Murano had developed a strong reputation for the craft.9601280

Visit beautiful Murano, an island located off the shore of Venice, Italy. Glassmaking in Murano may have originated in Rome during the 8th century, with significant Asian and Muslim influences; by the 10th century, Murano had developed a strong reputation for the craft.

Kaetana / iStock / Getty Images

Romantic Gondola Ride

Romantic Gondola Ride

A trip to Venice wouldn’t be quite as perfect without a romantic <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/video/sams-venetian-boat-ride-11161">gondola ride</a> through a quiet canal. A standard gondola ride is usually 40 minutes, but the fare can be expensive. We recommend negotiating for a shorter trip during the day, when fares are lower than at night.9601280

A trip to Venice wouldn’t be quite as perfect without a romantic <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/video/sams-venetian-boat-ride-11161">gondola ride</a> through a quiet canal. A standard gondola ride is usually 40 minutes, but the fare can be expensive. We recommend negotiating for a shorter trip during the day, when fares are lower than at night.

Digitaler Lumpensammler / Moment / Getty Images

Locanda Cipriani

Locanda Cipriani

Stay at a Locanda Cipriani for a romantic getaway. Once a rustic wine shop, this country inn was where literary great Ernest Hemingway wrote Across the River and Into the Trees. The Santa Fosca room seemed to inspire him the most, with its original oak floors and balcony overlooking the garden. Owned by the Cipriani family, the inn has been open for business on the corner of the lagoon -- known as Torcello -- since the late 1920s.9601280

Stay at a Locanda Cipriani for a romantic getaway. Once a rustic wine shop, this country inn was where literary great Ernest Hemingway wrote Across the River and Into the Trees. The Santa Fosca room seemed to inspire him the most, with its original oak floors and balcony overlooking the garden. Owned by the Cipriani family, the inn has been open for business on the corner of the lagoon -- known as Torcello -- since the late 1920s.

Clay Morrions, flickr

St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square

Visit one of the world’s most beautiful squares, Piazza San Marco, aka <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/italy/photos/northern-italy?page=6">St. Mark’s Square</a>. Located in the heart of Venice, the Piazzetta is an extension of the Piazza toward the lagoon. These 2 spaces combined form the social, religious and political center of the city.9601280

Visit one of the world’s most beautiful squares, Piazza San Marco, aka <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/italy/photos/northern-italy?page=6">St. Mark’s Square</a>. Located in the heart of Venice, the Piazzetta is an extension of the Piazza toward the lagoon. These 2 spaces combined form the social, religious and political center of the city.